THE 


AMERICAN  NAVY  AND  LIBERIA. 


A-IST  ADDRESS 

BEFORE  THE 


AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY, 

JANUARY  18,  1876, 


COMMODORE  R.  W.  SHUFELDT,  U.  S.  N. 


WASHINGTON  CITY : 

Colonization  Building,  450  Pennsylvania  Avenue. 
1876. 


ADDRESS. 


Gentlemen  : It  is  not  inappropriate  to  this  occasion  that  an 
officer  of  the  navy  should  address  your  honorable  Society, 
and  although  your  committee  might  easily  have  chosen  a more 
worthy  representative  of  that  branch  of  the  public  service, 
they  could  have  found  none  more  sincerely  interested  in  your 
cause  or  more  deeply  impressed  with  its  importance. 

From  the  first  disastrous  effort,  in  1819,  to  colonize  the  ne- 
groes from  the  United  States  at  Sherbro,  up  to  the  present  time, 
the  Navy  has  contributed  with  sword  and  pen  to  advance  the 
interests  and  protect  the  rights  of  the  Americo-Africans.  In 
that  year,  1819,  the  U.  S.  Ship  “Cyane”  convoyed  to  Africa 
the  “Elizabeth,”  the  first  emigrant  ship,  the  “Mayflower”  of 
these  new  pilgrims,  and  Lieutenant  Townsend  lost  his  life  in 
the  duty  incidental  to  landing  them.  The  inexorable  march 
of  time,  however,  has  placed  upon  the  roll  of  the  distin- 
guished dead  most  of  those  whose  words  and  deeds  contributed 
so  much  to  the  founding  of  the  Republic  of  Liberia.  First 
among  these,  and  almost  the  first  in  the  hearts  and  memories  of 
his  naval  brethren,  stands  the  name  of  Stockton.  In  1821  Lieut. 
Stockton  took  command  of  the  “Alligator,”  a vessel  sent  out 
by  the  U.  S.  Government  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Justice 
Bushrod  Washington,  President  of  the  Society,  and  Francis  S. 
Key,  one  of  its  managers,  for  the  express  purpose  of  select- 
ing a site  on  the  Western  Coast  of  Africa,  better  adapted  to 
the  purposes  of  colonization  than  Sherbro,  a place  notoriQusly 
unhealthy  and  in  many  respects  undesirable.  The  first  order 
issued  by  Lieut.  Commanding  Stockton  to  the  crew  of  his  lit- 
tle craft,  while  yet  in  sight  of  the  shores  of  America,  was  to 
throw  overboard  the  cat,  (the  lash  was  then  a legal  mode  of 
punishment  on  board  of  our  vessels  of  war,)  informing  them 
that  he  intended  to  exact  their  obedience  by  some  other 
means.  He  was  wiser  than,  perhaps,  he  knew,  for,  bound  on 


4 


this  mission  of  humanity,  there  would  have  been  a strange  in- 
consistency in  his  conduct  had  he  carried  with  him  into  Africa 
that  vile  relic  of  barbarism.  Yet  this  act  indicates  the  char- 
acter of  the  man  who  in  that  day,  and  in  the  face  of  current 
opinion,  dared  to  vindicate  by  word  and  deed  the  right  of  man, 
black  or  white,  to  exemption  from  a barbarous  thraldom 
whether  upon  land  or  sea.  December  11th,  1821,  Lieut.  Stock, 
ton  placed  his  foot  on  African  soil  at  Cape  Mesurado,  and,  at 
the  risk  of  his  life,  wrested  from  savagery  that  spot  whereon 
now  stands  the  light-house  guiding  the  mariner  to  Monrovia, 
the  Capital  of  a new  born  Republic,  and  in  its  firm  foundations, 
and  its  light  gleaming  alternately  on  land  and  sea,  fitly  em- 
blematic of  him  who  ever  stood  fixed  in  his  strong  convictions 
of  the  right,  and  showed  to  all  men  the  guiding  star  of  his 
brilliant  intellect  and  spotless  character. 

Liberia,  then  only  an  isolated  spot  of  land,  now  spreads  her- 
self on  the  south  to  the  extent  of  500  miles  from  this  point. 
A narrow  belt  upon  the  sea-shore,  slowly  but  surely  widening 
her  influence,  brightening  up  the  dark  cloud  in  the  back- 
ground, as  year  by  year  she  strnggles  and  penetrates  here  and 
there,  now  up  a river  and  then  into  the  forest,  like  the  streak 
of  light  in  the  eastern  sky  which  tells  of  the  coming  day.  An 
author  says  that  the  name  of  Stockton  will  be  associated  in 
history  with  the  names  of  the  founders  of  this  now  prosperous 
State,  for  to  his  courage  and  prudence  its  original  acquisition 
may  be  ascribed.  Accompanied  only  by  one  companion  he 
went  into  the  presence  of  the  native  King  of  that  part  of 
the  Coast,  and  when  threatened  with  instant  death,  presented 
his  pistol  at  the  head  of  the  angry  chief,  cowing  the  multitude 
by  the  danger  of  their  Sovereign  and  obtaining  from  the  sub- 
dued savages  the  desired  territory. 

If*  we  add  to  this  achievement  in  Africa  the  fact,  that 
throughout  his  brilliant  career,  he  adhered  with  wonderful 
pertinacity  to  his  idea  of  punishment  without  the  lash,  until 
he  obtained,  or  greatly  aided  in  obtaining,  the  passage  of  that 
law  which  banished  the  cat  from  the  Navy,  we  may  fairly 
place  him  high  on  its  rolls  as  one  whose  memory  we  may 
cherish,  and  whose  deeds  we  may  emulate,  and  point  him  out 
to  the  Liberian  as  the  man  whose  nature,  revolting  at  in- 


6 


humanity  in  any  form,  taught  his  own  men  before  landing 
on  African  soil  that  first  lesson  of  freedom  which  Liberians 
have  sinced  learned  to  appreciate  as  it  deserves. 

The  name  of  Perry,  among  the  brightest  in  the  annals  of 
naval  history,  shone  with  undimmed  lustre  in  the  person  of 
Commodore  M.  C.  Perry  while  in  command  of  our  squadron  on 
the  Coast  of  Africa.  Perry  cruised  along  the  Liberian  seaboard, 
using  force  when  force  was  necessary,  discretion,  combined 
with  firmness,  always.  Under  his  surveillance  the  timid  colo- 
nist became  more  bold,  and  the  wary  savage  more  circumspect, 
until  when  he  left  the  station,  Gov.  Russwurm,  of  Cape  Palmas, 
was  constrained  to  write  him  under  date  of  December  25,1843, 
Our  prospects  have  been  brighter  since  the  arrival  of  your 
squadron  on  this  Coast  than  ever,  and  however  willing  we 
were  before  to  endure  everything  for  liberty,  our  hearts  swell 
with  gratitude  to  you  for  the  deep  interest  expressed  in  our 
future  well-being.  'That  a gracious  Providence  may  long  pre- 
serve your  life  for  usefulness,  is  the  ardent  prayer  of  every 
eitizen  of  Maryland  in  Liberia.” 

From  the  time  of  Commodore  Perry’s  command  (1844)  up 
to  the  commencement  of  our  civil  war  the  Navy  was  not  with- 
out its  representatives  on  the  Liberian  Coast.  Many  promi- 
nent officers  not  only  gave  that  country  their  warmest  sup- 
port, but  have  recorded  their  meed  of  praise  to  its  inhabitants. 
Commodore  Joel  Abbott,  1845,  says:  “Although  it  is  the  day 
of  small  things  with  our  colored  colonists  in  Africa,  yet  I be- 
lieve there  is  no  one  who  has  visited  them  but  is  favorably  im- 
pressed with  their  present  condition  beyond  what  was  antici- 
pated, and  with  the  belief  of  their  progressive  improvement 
and  of  their  growing  importance  in  all  the  relations  concern- 
ing Africa  and  the  African  race  that  should  interest  the 
Christian  philanthropist  and  statesman.” 

Commodore  Isaac  Mayo,  1853,  says:  “I  have  long  felt  the 
warmest  interest  in  the  only  scheme  which  promised  relief  to 
the  colored  people  of  our  country,  and  this  interest  was  con- 
firmed by  my  visit  to  Liberia,  when  in  command  of  the  frigate 
“ Macedonian,”  in  the  years  1843  and  1844.  My  more  recent 
observations  in  this  ship  convince  me  that  the  Colonization 
Societies  have  been  crowned  with  the  most  substantial  success. 


6 


and  that  the  result  of  their  generous  philanthropy  is  no  lon- 
ger doubtful.  * * * * I have  the  strongest  faith 

in  the  bright  future  that  awaits  Liberia,  and  the  strongest 
confidence  that  she  is  to  wield  the  most  powerful  influence  in 
regenerating  Africa.” 

Commodore  Francis  H.  Gregory,  1855,  says:  “ Previously  to 
my  visiting  Liberia  1 had  a hope  the  Colonization  Society 
would  be  successful.  I considered  it  an  experiment  and  en- 
tertained but  little  faith,  but  on  my  first  visit  to  Monrovia 
every  doubt  was  dispelled.  I visited  the  people  collectively 
and  individually  and  had  every  opportunity  of  forming  a cor- 
rect judgment  of  their  condition  and  prospects.  * * * I 

found  the  people  industrious  and  happy,  apparently  in  the 
enjoyment  of  every  domestic  comfort,  and  some  of  the  most 
opulent  having  many  of  the  luxuries  and  elegancies  of  more 
famed  and  refined  regions.”  By  those  to  whom  Commodore 
Gregory  was  known,  the  value  of  his  testimony  will  be  ap- 
preciated. Throughout  a long  and  earnest  life  this  officer  de- 
voted all  of  his  time  and  thought  to  the  service  of  his  country. 

Paymaster  General  Bridge,  in  his  “Journal  of  an  African 
Cruiser,”  remarks,  “ After  having  seen  much,  and  reflected  upon 
the  subject  even  to  weariness,  I write  down  my  opinion  that 
Liberia  is  firmly  planted  and  is  destined  to  increase  and 
prosper.  This  it  will  do  though  all  further  support  from  the 
United  States  be  discontinued.  * * * * My 

faith  is  firm  in  a favorable  result.” 

ChaplainOhas.  W.  Thomas  adds  his  testimony  in  the  follow- 
ing extracts  from  “Adventures  and  Observations  in  Africa:’’ 
“ Our  duty  as  a Christian  nation  towards  her  ( Liberia)  is  clear. 
Far  be  it  from  us  to  witness  with  cold-blooded  indifference  the 
struggles  of  those  who  have  gone  out  from  us  with  barbarism 
and  ignorance.  If  Liberia  is  a weak  and  myopic  child,  it  is 
not  ours  to  look  calmly  upon  her  attempts  to  walk  alone,  guess- 
ing cruelly  as  to  the  chances  of  her  making  a safe  journey,  but 
it  is  ours  by  kind  words  to  encourage  her  heart  and  to  lead  her 
by  the  hand  until  age  shall  bring  strength  to  her  feet  and 
clearness  to  her  vision.” 

Perhaps  upon  the  Navy  list  we  have  no  purer  and  nobler 
character  than  that  of  the  late  Bear  Admiral  A.  H.  Foote.  Foote 


7 


wielded  the  sword  and  the  pen  of  the  philanthropist,  the  Chris- 
tian, and  the  patriot.  How  much  the  lessons  he  learned  while  on 
the  Coast  of  Africa  in  command  of  the  brig  Perry,”  among 
the  iniquities  of  the  slave-trade  and  the  struggles  of  the  Li- 
berian colonists  had  to  do  with  the  excellence  of  his  character, 
may  be  traced  in  the  history  of  his  life.  Ho  says  : “ Civilization 
with  its  peace,  intelligence  with  its  high  aims,  was  rooted 
in  Africa.  The  living  energy  of  republicanism  was  there, 
Christianity  in  various  influential  forms  was  among  the  peo* 
pie.  Education  was  advancing  and  institutions  for  public  good 
coming  into  operation.  Native  hereditary  enmities  and  fac- 
tions were  yielding  perceptibly  in  all  directions  to  the  gentle 
efficacy  of  Christian  example.  All  this  constituted  a great 
result.” 

The  Christian  virtues  of  Admiral  Foote  are  the  property  of 
the  country,  his  professional  qualities  are  the  inheritance  of 
the  Navy — these  will  be  remembered  as  long  as  we  have  a 
Country  to  defend  or  a Navy  to  defend  it. 

The  concurrent  testimony  of  these  distinguished  officers  and 
•thoughtful  men,  embracing  the  period  from  the  foundation  of 
the  colony  to  the  time  of  our  civil  war,  express  not  only  the 
hope,  but  the  belief  that  Liberia,  poor  and  weak  as  she  is,  yet 
possesses  many  of  the  elements  of  national  wealth  and 
strength,  and  proves  beyond  cavil  the  progress  and  the  per- 
manence of  that  Republic. 

During  the  war,  and  while  our  own  nationality  was  in  peril,, 
the  Navy  had  but  little  time  to  spare  for  the  interests  of  Li- 
beria. The  battle  for  the  freedom  of  the  black  man  was  being 
fought  upon  a grander  scale  than  within  her  narrow  limits. 
After  that  victory  had  been  gained  our  ships  began  once  more 
to  visit  the  African  Coast,  though  at  rare  intervals. 

In  1873  it  became  my  duty  and  my  pleasure  to  visit  the 
Coast  of  Africa,  after  an  interval  of  twenty-five  years.  A quar- 
ter of  a century  had  passed  leaving  its  furrows  upon  my  face> 
as  it  does  upon  the  face  of  every  son  of  Adam,  but  the  interest 
I had  felt  in  that  lone  lorn  colony  was  as  fresh  as  ever.  It 
was  therefore  with  unmixed  satisfaction  that  I landed  again 
at  Cape  Mesurado,  and  in  an  instant  recalled  the  familiar  streets, 


8 


and  many  of  the  faces  that  used  to  greet  me  in  Monrovia 
years  ago. 

I do  not  propose  to  go  into  the  history  of  Liberia;  that  is  to 
be  found  in  every  Cyclopedia — those  who  run  may  read  it.  My 
own  personal  impressions  will  be  of  more  interest  to  you;  these 
have  vitality  which  comes  of  contact,  a freshness  not  to  be 
found  in  the  musty  pages  of  a book  however  well  written. 
Personal  experience  compared  with  history  is  the  original  com- 
pared with  the  photograph. 

Cape  Mesurado  juts  out  into  the  sea,  a promontory  of  gentle 
height,  covered  with  the  verdure  which  the  tropics  only  can 
produce.  The  surf  roars  at  its  base  and  the  water  of  the 
Mesurado  river  breaks  over  the  bar  by  its  side — the  canoe  of 
the  native  glides  through  the  surf  over  this  bar  and  lands  you 
with  wonderful  safety  at  Monrovia,  which  lies  just  behind 
the  cape  by  the  side  of  the  river. 

In  the  growth  of  a new  nation,  in  its  consolidation  and  crys- 
talization,  time  forms  no  just  measure  of  progress.  Not  to  go> 
back,  to  stem  the  adverse  tide,  to  wait,  is  absolutely  to  advance. 
To  be  where  you  were,  after  years  of  struggles  against  ob- 
stacles almost  insurmountable,  is  a point  gained,  and  a success 
accomplished. 

Monrovia  presented  the  same  sunny  streets  and  shaded 
houses,  the  same  evidences  of  comfort,  and  of  the  absence  of 
want,  that  it  did  twenty-five  years  before;  no  great  mark  of 
improvement,  no  sad  evidences  of  decay.  In  the  meanwhile, 
however,  more  activity  on  the  wharves,  more  canoes  laden 
with  produce  coming  down  the  river,  steamships  stopping 
eight  times  a month  landing  and  receiving  cargo,  more  sugar 
mills,  coffee  trees  growing  where  the  forest  undisturbed  had 
waved  before — all  this,  and  more,  indicated  life,  business,  com- 
mercial and  agricultural  prosperity. 

I thought  to  myself  as  I walked  again  through  the  streets, 
“Monrovia  is  a fixed  fact.”  No  reflux  tide  can  wash  her  into 
the  sea.  She  may  advance  more  rapidity,  she  may  stand  still* 
But  every  event,  whether  rapid,  slow,  or  stationary  in  her 
course,  Liberia  is  there  to  stay.  An  island  in  the  ocean  of 
barbarism,  “ a little  cloud  out  of  the  sea  like  a man’s  hand,” 
yet  full  of  portent  to  Africa,  a herald  of  the  coming  of  that  army 


9 

of  civilization  which  by  an  inexorable  law  exterminates  where 
it  cannot  convert. 

But  a great  change  manifested  itself  in  the  temper  and  tone 
of  the  people.  Years  ago  I saw  indicated  everywhere  that  in- 
nate consciousness  of  inferiority,  that  deprecating  humility 
which  came  of  their  birth — emigrants  from  the  slave  cabins  in 
our  own  country — that  absence  of  independent  thought,  that 
shrinking  humility  which  feared  to  give  an  opinion;  these 
came  from  the  remembrance  of  that  grand  old  thing,  now  of 
the  past— the  master.  With  warm  affections  toward  their 
home,  as  they  called  America,  favors  easily  remembered  and 
wrongs  as  easily  forgotten,  they  welcomed  us  and  bore  with 
us  as  we  tacitly  claimed  that  superiority  which  comes  of 
being  born  white  men. 

Now  a change  had  taken  place,  a new  generation  had  come 
and  a regeneration.  We  were  welcomed  with  hospitality  de- 
void of  servility,  and  with  kindness  devoid  of  fear.  They 
acknowledged  gratefully  the  protection  which  the  American 
flag  affords  them,  not  more  for  the  fact  than  as  a token  of 
remembrance  from  the  mother  country. 

President  Eoberts  is  an  epitome  of  Liberian  history.  He 
stands  pre-eminently  the  guiding  genius  of  Liberia  through 
all  her  struggles.  That  there  is  none  equal  to  him  in  point  of 
ability,  combined  with  wisdom  and  linked  to  virtue;  that  he 
is  superior  to  all  in  these  respects,  to  every  other  Liberian,  is 
no  more  an  argument  for  the  average  inferiority  of  the  colored 
race  than  the  proud  pre-eminence  of  George  Washington  is  an 
argument  for  the  inferiority  of  the  American  branch  of  the 
white  race.  The  history  of  nations  is  written  in  the  lives  of 
individuals.  President  Eoberts  has  shaped  the  destiny  of  his 
country,  and  as  much  as  any  other  man  living  has  contributed 
to  the  moral  and  ph37sieal  good  of  the  human  race. 

I dined  at  President  Eoberts’  table  with  the  members  of  his 
Cabinet,  Ex-President  Warner,  and  the  Haytien  Consul,  Mr. 
Yates.  Most  of  them  were  new  men  to  me.  They  exhibited 
a general  knowledge  of  parsing  events  which,  from  their 
isolated  condition,  would  have  surprised  me,  had  I not  in  pre- 
vious experience  observed  that  men  forced  to  read  what  others 
daily  saw  were  generally  more  accurate  in  their  knowledge 


10 


and  more  critical  in  their  deductions.  The  Cabinet  of  Mr. 
Roberts  seemed  to  me  respectable  men,  quite  up  to  the  average 
of  men,  whether  white  or  black. 

Without  disparagement  to  others,  I wish  to  make  a brief 
mention  of  a pleasant  visit  to  the  house  of  a private  citizen. 
This  house  was  presided  over  by  a lady  whose  refined  and 
elegant  manners  would  have  attracted  attention  and  admira- 
tion in  any  drawing-room.  In  her  conversation  she  exhibited 
a brilliancy  which  was  really  remarkable,  and  an  intelligence 
quite  as  surprising.  She  was  Liberian  born,  but  spoke  of 
America  with  the  love  she  had  inherited. 

Along  the  streets  and  by-ways  of  Monrovia  are  to  be  seen 
the  ordinary  variety  of  human  beings,  young  and  old,  rich 
and  poor,  sick  and  well.  You  note  the  absence  of  grogshops 
and  the  presence  of  churches.  Like  pilgrims  as  they  are,  or 
were, 'the  prevailing  and  controlling  sentiment  of  the  commu- 
nity is  a religious  one.  To  land  upon  a foreign  shore,  to  cut 
one’s  self  otf  from  kith  and  kin,  to  plunge  into  a wilderness, 
needs  faith  absolute,  vital,  in  the  personality  of  God  and  in 
Divine  protection.  Add  to  this  the  emotional  character  of  the 
negro  and  you  have  the  ordinary  Liberian;  law-abiding  and, 
from  his  nature  and  race,  indolent,  timid,  willing  to  be  helped, 
loth  to  help  himself.  I do  not  mean  to  compare  this  colonist 
with  the  great  domineering,  self-asserting,  self-dependent 
Anglo-Saxon,  who  bullies  and  conquers  and  rules  wherever 
he  emigrates,  but  I do  mean  to  say  that  Liberia  and  its  inhab- 
itants will  compare,  and  favorably,  too,  with  the  towns  and  the 
people  scattered  over  Central  and  South  America  and  Mexico, 
settled  by  the  Spaniard,  the  Italian,  and  the  Frenchman.  Go 
where  you  will  in  these  countries  you  see  the  same  evidences 
of  indolence,  the  same  apparent  lack  of  progress,  yet  these 
people  are  prospering  in  their  way,  gradually  but  surely  reach- 
ing a higher  plane,  and  so  I contend  are  the  Liberians.  Re- 
member, the  Liberians  were  poor  even  to  abject  poverty,  they 
had  received  no  inheritance  but  the  badge  of  their  servitude, 
they  were  ignorant — the  law  in  this  free  country  of  ours  had 
taken  care  to  keep  them  so — painfully  ignorant,  not  only  of 
the  common  principles  of  law  by  which  they  were  to  construct 


11 


a government,  but  of  the  common  principles  of  life  by  which 
they  were  to  live. 

God  measures  people  for  Himself.  He  is  patient  because  He 
is  Eternal.  Fifty  years  in  the  life  of  a nation  born  under  such 
adverse  circumstances,  struggling  under  poverty  and  obliquy — 
predicted  a failure  by  the  prophets  of  caste,  checked  and 
thwarted  by  the  priests  and  politicians  of  conservatism,  un- 
aided, uncheered,  born  in  a wilderness,  surrounded,  hemmed 
in  by  barbarism  while  just  emerging  from  barbarism  itself — 
fifty  years  in  the  life  of  such  a nation  is  but  a moment  of  time 
in  the  Providence  of  God.  Let  us  then  endeavor  in  our  im- 
perfect way  to  imitate  God’s  patience  and  wait  while  we  hope 
and  pray. 

The  Krooman,  whose  tribes  are  scattered  for  eighty  miles 
along  the  Liberian  Coast,  is  the  Bedouin  of  the  African  sea. 
He  is  the  sailor-man  and  the  boat-man  for  every  ship  that 
comes  and  sails  down  the  Coast.  His  skill  in  landing  through 
the  surf  and  passing  over  bars  in  his  frail  canoe  is  something 
wonderful.  His  canoe  and  himself  are  one  and  the  same  thing ; 
together  they  glide  over  the  swell  of  the  ocean  with  speed  and 
safety,  now  hidden , now  seen.  If  capsized  he  soon  rights  his 
boat,  rolls  in  again  and  paddles  away.  He  is  a bird  upon  the 
water  and  a fish  in  the  sea.  Always  willing  and  obedient,  he 
is  honest  and  trustworthy.  He  wants  his  wages  when  his 
contract  is  up,  when  he  returns  to  his  tribe  and  invests  in 
another  wife.  Wives  are  his  treasures;  they  are  the  support 
of  his  old  age.  He  speaks  a little  English,  of  which  he  is  very 
proud.  Some  ship-master  gives  him  a fantastic  name,  as 
“Draw  Bucket”  or  “ Plug  of  Tobacco,”  to  which  he  clings  as 
his  badge  of  honor,  and  his  merits  are  duly  recorded  in  his 
“ book,”  which  he  receives  from  his  employer  and  carries  around 
his  neck,  each  succeeding  master  increasing  the  wealth  of  his 
recommendation.  His  mother  is  his  great  object  of  reverence  ; 
he  never  ventures  to  dispute  her  authority.  In  this  respect 
he  never  “comes  of  age.” 

If  Monrovia,  the  capital,  had  not  largely  increased  in  wealth 
and  population  during  these  twenty-five  years,  Liberia  had  ex- 
tended her  boundaries  league  by  league,  each  additional  pos- 
session encroaching  upon  or  destroying  some  well-known  haunt 


12 


of  the  slave  trader,  until  for  six  hundred  miles  of  the  adjacent 
Coast  not  a slave  factory  could  be  found  or  a slaver  get  a cargo. 
In  the  very  nature  of  things  slavery  was  abhorrent  to  Liberia. 
It  could  not  exist  within  or  near  her  borders.  It  disappeared 
by  virtue  of  the  expelling  force  which  exists  in  the  power  of 
light  and  civilization.  These  two  things  could  not  be  at  the 
same  time  in  the  same  place.  By  this  moral  alliance  with  the 
Powers  of  the  world — this  silent  partnership,  which  in  the  end 
banished  the  trade  in  human  beings  from  the  entire  Coast  of 
Western  Africa;  this  passive  victory  over  the  greatest  sin  of 
modern  times— by  this  deed  alone  she  has  earned  her  title  to 
the  possession  of  her  territory,  and  her  friends  and  the  friends 
of  humanity  have  met  with  more  than  their  reward. 

An  author  says,  in  1853:  “The  fact  stands  acknowledged 
before  the  world  that  Great  Britain,  after  the  expenditure  of 
more  than  one  hundred  millions  of  dollars,  has  failed  in  sup- 
pressing the  slave  trade  on  one  mile  of  Coast  beyond  the  limit 
of  her  colonies,  while  Liberia  has  swept  it  from  nearly  four 
hundred  miles  of  Coast  where  it  existed  in  its  chief  strength, 
liberated  80,000  slaves,  and  bound  by  treaties  200,000  natives 
never  to  engage  in  the  traffic  in  their  brethren.” 

Liberia,  geographically  considered,  is  situated  upon  the  West 
Coast  of  Africa,  between  the  latitudes  4°  20'  and  7°  20'  north.  It 
extends  from  the  British  Colony  of  Sierra  Leone,  on  the  north- 
west, to  the  Pedro  river,  on  the  southeast,  a distance  of  600 
miles  along  the  Coast,  the  interior  boundary  varying  from  10 
to  40  miles  from  the  seaboard,  an  area  of  9,700  square  miles, 
every  mile  of  which  has  been  'purchased  from  the  original  pro- 
prietors. No  war  of  conquest  marks  this  gradual  enlargement 
of  territory  or  mars  the  record  of  the  consequent  progress.  In 
1873,  the  period  of  my  last  visit,  Monrovia,  the  capital,  had  about 
13,000  inhabitants.  The  total  number  of  Americo-Liberians 
in  the  Republic  at  that  time  was  estimated  at  20,000,  and  700,- 
000  aborigines.  The  Americans  are  settled  in  sixteen  towns, 
all  of  which  have  the  characteristics  of  Monrovia,  and  are 
situated  in  propinquity  to  the  sea.  Millsburg,  which  is  twen- 
ty miles  up  the  St.  Paul’s  river,  is  an  agricultural  settlement. 

The  most  important  of  the  native  tribes  is  the  Mandingo, 
which  occupies  nearly  the  whole  of  the  eastern  frontier  of 


13 


Liberia.  These  people  are  Mahomedans,  and  their  influence 
extends  into  the  interior  of  the  Continent  as  far  as  Soudan. 
Travelers  in  Africa  agree  upon  the  fact  that  Mahomedanisra 
is  spreading  over  that  land  with  marvelous  strides.  I ask 
your  attention  to  this  religious  phenomenon  in  connection 
with  the  prospects  of  Liberia  as  a Christian  community.  If 
you  believe  that  Christianity  is  to  be  the  religion  of  the  future 
in  Africa,  essential  not  only  to  her  salvation  but  to  her  tem- 
poral welfare,  then  I beg  you  to  consider  Liberia  as  an  im- 
portant bulwark  against  the  encroachment  of  the  followers  of 
the  Prophet,  and  as  a point  from  whence  to  start  Christian 
propagandism  into  the  heart  of  Africa.  Most  of  the  foreign 
settlements  on  the  Coast  are  simply  trading  ports,  and  the  duty 
of  Christianizing  the  country  is  lost  sight  of  in  the  pursuit  of 
gain.  Liberia,  on  the  other  hand,  is  a Christian  community, 
established  as  such.  Upon  it  and  upon  its  friends  devolves 
this  positive  mission,  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen.  It 
is  our  duty  to  assist  her  in  this  mission  by  every  means  in  our 
power.  Liberia  is  the  initial  point  for  American  effort  in  the 
Christianization  of  Africa.  The  tendency  of  all  the  African 
tribes  is  to  approach  the  sea;  most  of  the  tribal  wars  are  made 
on  this  account.  To  reach  the  “ heach,”  as  they  call  it,  to  open 
trade  with  the  white  man  is  the  great  object  of  their  ambition. 
To  occupy  the  “heach,”  therefore,  to  present  there  the  bold 
front  of  Christianity,  is  to  set  back  the  tide  of  Mahomedanism 
and  to  bring  within  the  peaceful  influence  of  Christianity  the 
pagan  when,  after  his  struggles,  he  reaches  the  sea. 

Among  the  other  tribes  living  in  the  Liberian  territory  is 
the  Grebo.  This  tribe  occupies  the  land  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  Cape  Palmas  and  is  the  one  now  threatening  that 
portion  of  the  Republic  with  a war  of  extermination. 

I mean  no  disrespect  to  the  people  of  Great  Britain  when  I 
say  that  the  British  trader  on  the  Coast  of  Africa  is  among  the 
most  grasping  and  unscrupulous  of  men.  He  has  succeeded 
the  Frenchman,  the  Spaniard,  and  the  Portuguese,  those  reck- 
less factors  in  the  prosecution  of  the  slave  trade,  and  substi- 
tuted a trade  in  rum,  tobacco,  and  gunpowder,  a trade  not 
quite  so  baneful  in  its  immediate  results,  but  as  pernicious  as 
it  dares  to  be  in  the  logic  of  events.  These  articles  the  native 


14 


is  eager  to  buy  and  the  trader  anxious  to  sell.  Year  by  year 
the  British  government,  yielding  to  the  demand  of  the  British 
trader,  has  increased  its  possessions  upon  the  Coast  either  by 
acquisition  from  the  native  Kings,  or  by  purchase  from  foreign 
Powers,  until  it  owns  1,500  miles  of  the  African  shore.  Liberia 
is  now  bounded  on  its  northern  and  southern  limits  by  British 
territory,  but  the  trader,  not  content  with  this  stealing  as  it 
were  in  the  rear  of  Liberian  settlements  with  his  contraband 
products,  is  enticing  the  willing  native  to  trade  in  violation  of 
the  laws  of  the  Republic,  and  inducing  him  to  believe  that  if 
the  poor  and  defenseless  Liberian  settler  can  be  driven  from 
his  home,  the  trader  can  sell  his  goods  without  restriction  and 
at  half  the  price;  hence  this  war  which  is  now  trying  the 
courage  and  the  resources  of  the  Liberians. 

These  two  tribes,  the  Mandingos  and  Grebos,  both  of  them 
intelligent  and  aggressive,  the  one  crusaders  in  the  name  of 
Mahomet,  and  the  other  warriors  in  the  cause  of  greed  and 
gain,  form  the  most  important  elements  in  the  internal  econo- 
my of  the  Republic.  The  destiny  of  Liberia  depends  on  the 
conquest  of  these  two  opposing  forces.  Will  she?  Will  she? 
She  must  meet  and  conquer  morally  and  physically  these  an- 
tagonistic ideas  or  see  herself  swept  into  the  sea ; but  I have 
faith  that  she  will  conquer  in  the  name  of  God  and  with  the 
aid  of  America.  We  know  that  God  will  not  fail  them;  let  us 
see  to  it  that  America  does  not  fold  her  arms  and  turn  upon 
these  struggling  people  the  cold  shoulder  of  indifference. 

The  other  tribes  that  come  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Government  of  Liberia  are  the  Yeys,  the  Pessehs,  the  Barlines, 
and  the  Bassas.  The  Yeys  are  amongst  the  most  intelligent, 
and  thirty  years  ago  made  an  alphabet  for  themselves.  Ma- 
homedanism  is  rapidly  spreading  among  them.  None  of  these 
have  any  special  significance.  They  constitute,  however,  the 
material  nearest  at  hand  for  the  missionary  and  the  philan- 
thropist. 

According  to  my  observation  among  the  heathen,  conversion 
to  Christianity  is  not  the  work  of  a moment,  it  is  an  influence 
gradually  permeating  and  pervading,  until  a community  finds 
itself  raised  to  a higher  plane,  converted  to  a nobler  faith. 
This  I anticipate  will,  in  a measurable  period  of  time,  be  the 


15 


result  of  the  moral  influence  of  the  Americo-African  upon  the 
surrounding  mass  of  barbarism.  One  by  one  its  dark  supersti- 
tions will  disappear  in  the  everincreasing  light,  until  in  the 
brightness  of  mid-day  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  will  cast  His 
beneficent  rays  on  the  whole  area  of  that  broad  and  benighted 
land. 

I found  the  climate  of  Liberia  decidedly  improved  since  my 
first  visit.  As  the  land  is  cleared  miasmatic  influences  become 
less  fatal.  To  the  native-born  Liberian  it  is  as  healthful  as 
any  tropical  country.  The  emigrant  takes  his  risks  as  any  of 
us  do  who  migrate  from  a temperate  to  a torrid  zone.  The 
white  man  has  no  business  in  Africa.  “ Similia  similibus  curan- 
tur.”  ‘‘Like  things  are  cured  by  like.”  To  the  black  man, 
the  Ethiopian,  is  given  the  mission  of  laboring  in  the  vineyard 
until  he  comes  to  his  own  again.  Time  enters  largely  into  this 
problem  of  regenerating  Africa.  But  it  will  be  done  and  find 
its  reward  in  Eternity.  Without  conflicting  with  the  theories 
of  the  savans,  I take  it  upon  myself  to  say  that  to  the  white 
and  black  races  is  given  the  glorious  work  of  rehabilitating 
the  world,  each  in  its  own  latitude  and  in  its  own  way. 

The  Government  of  Liberia  is  apparently  stable  and  well 
administered.  It  would  be  an  anomaly  in  political  history  to 
find  the  off-shoot  of  a republican  country  establishing  for  itself 
any  other  than  a republican  form  of  government;  her  consti- 
tution therefore  is  similar  to  our  own,  containing  one  proviso, 
however,  to  which  I wish  to  draw  your  attention. 

Liberia  came  into  existence  as  a nation  preceded  by  no  war; 
she  was  born  of  no  internecine  strife,  but  in  harmony  with 
her  mission  she  declared  herself  free  and  independent,  and 
was  gracefully  acknowledged  as  such  by  the  Great  Powers  of 
the  world — the  mother  country  alone  hesitating  to  receive  as 
an  equal  her  neglected  child — and  in  an  humble  and  lowly 
manner,  becoming  her  color  and  condition,  she  peaceful^  and 
quietly  took  her  back  seat  in  the  family  of  nations.  I say 
that  Liberia  has  a government  apparently  stable.  Compare 
it,  in  the  twenty-eight  years  of  its  existence,  with  the  govern- 
ment of  France  in  its  throes  with  monarchism,  pseudo  repub- 
licanism, imperialism,  and  communism — “everything  by  turns 
and  nothing  long” — or  with  that  of  Spain  in  its  dynastic 


16 


revolutions.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  people  of  Liberia  are  in 
the  hands  of  a guiding  Power,  which  carries  them  hither  and 
thither,  always  safely,  to  the  end  that  they  may  become  the 
arbiters  of  the  fate  of  their  race,  the  peaceful  conquerors  of  a new 
world.  I know  it  is  the  fashion  to  deride  such  pietistic  notions, 
to  sneer  at  such  unscientific  theories ; but,  my  friends,  as  I grow 
older,  as  I watch  the  ebbing  and  flowing  of  the  human  tides, 
as  I read  of  human  destiny  moulded  to  serve  Divine  ends,  I feel 
how  insignificant  men  are  in  themselves,  how  great  they  are 
in  the  hands  of  God.  I say  that  the  government  has,  in  the 
main,  been  well  administered.  The  world , so  called,  i.  e .,  the 
greed,  the  superstition,  the  bigotry,  the  clannish  conservatism, 
added  to  the  thoughtlessness  and  the  indifference  of  the  world, 
combine  to  crush  out  these  abstract  notions,  these  imprac- 
ticable ideas  of  the  mere  philanthropist,  to  deny  the  capacity 
of  certain  “inferior”  races  for  self-government,  to  prognosti- 
cate failures,  to  come  in  with  malevolent  predictions,  to  settle 
the  whole  matter  finally  with  complacent  “I  told  you  so.” 
There  is  no  denying  that  Liberia  has  had  her  crisis,  that  she 
has  trembled  on  the  verge  of  ruin,  that  her  rulers  have  made 
mistakes;  but  I contend  that  she  has  recovered  from  these 
shocks  with  increased  stability  and  without  the  barbarism  of 
bloodshed.  Run  your  eye  over  the  pages  of  contemporaneous 
history,  read  of  the  bloody  executions,  the  fusillades  in  France, 
count  the  victims  to  the  garote  in  Cuba,  number  the  exiles  to 
Siberia,  count  the  expatriated  in  New  Caledonia — all  in  the 
name  of  order  and  good  government — then  turn  to  the  records 
of  our  own  eventful  career  or  to  the  modest  pages  of  Liberian 
history,  and  tell  me  which  of  all  the  Powers  contain  within 
themselves  the  surest  foundations,  the  best  promise  of  stability 
and  permanence.  Like  our  own,  the  Government  of  Liberia 
is  based  upon  the  will  of  the  people,  and  although  sometimes 
swayed  from  the  path  of  wisdom  by  popular  clamor,  it  in  the 
main  has  been  administered  for  the  good  of  the  people.  Resting 
as  it  is  upon  education,  secular  and  religious,  it  possesses  a 
constantly  increasing  tendency  toward  perfect  excellence  and 
consequent  permanence.  ' 

I dislike  to  be  considered  as  a constant  apologist,  but  the 
Republic  of  Liberia  is  on  trial,  and  she  needs  the  services  of 


IT 


even  so  poor  a pleader  as  myself.  If  we,  gentlemen,  have  real 
faith  in  our  own  institutions,  we  must  also  have  faith  in  the 
institutions  of  our  little  sister  Republic.  And  in  order  to  form 
an  unbiased  opinion  we  must  lose  sight  of  the  question  of  color. 
Fortunately  for  the  future  of  Liberia,  the  homogeneousness  of 
her  population  removes  one  of  her  greatest  dangers.  In  our 
own  country  the  question  of  caste  is  yet  to  be  fought  out,  and 
in  my  opinion  upon  its  result  will  depend  the  permanence  of 
our  own  Government  and  the  stability  of  our  own  institutions. 
“ For  in  this  Union,  you  have  set 
Two  kinds  of  men  in  adverse  rows — 

Each  loathing  each.” 

Events  are  rapidly  shaping  themselves,  and  at  this  present 
moment  we  hardly  know  how  swiftly  we  are  approaching  the 
crisis  which  is  to  determine  the  question  of  color — of  equal 
rights  to  all  men,  without  regard  to  color,  in  the  administra- 
tion of  the  Government  of  this  country.  While,  therefore,  we 
remember  Liberia,  let  us  not  forget  ourselves,  or  the  day  may 
come  when  she  can  point  out  to  us  the  fatal  rock  upon  which 
we  split. 

I do  not  apprehend  for  Liberia  dangers  from  incapacity  of 
her  rulers  or  instability  in  her  institutions.  She  has  had  her 
Roberts,  her  Benson,  her  Benedict,  and  hosts  of  others,  good 
and  true,  and  she  will  find  their  peers  in  the  time  of  her  need. 
She  has  her  schools  and  her  churches,  and  under  their  tuition 
her  next  generation  will  improve  upon  this  as  this  has  upon 
the  last.  She  will  resist  the  heathen  and  drive  back  the  Ma- 
homedan.  The  danger  which  I do  apprehend  for  her  is  the 
danger  of  absorption. 

They  themselves  seem  to  have  had  a half-prophetic  dread  of 
this  absorption.  In  her  earliest  days  Elijah  Johnson,  amidst 
the  dangers  of  a threatened  attack  by  the  surrounding  savage 
tribes,  being  offered  a force  of  marines  from  a British  man-of- 
war  if  he  would  only  cede  a few  feet  of  land  on  which  to  plant 
a British  flag,  promptly  refused,  saying,  “We  want  no  flag- 
staff put  up  here  that  would  cost  more  to  get  down  again  than 
it  would  to  whip  the  natives.”  Now  this  danger  is  at  their  very 
doors. 

A few  years  ago  there  was  a rage  for  “internal  improve- 
2 


18 


ments”  in  Liberia;  $500,000  were  borrow'ed  in  London,  which 
netted  $425,000.  This  sum  was  again  reduced  by  paying  the 
first  two  years’  interest  in  advance,  and  then  from  the  re- 
mainder was  deducted  the  agents’  commissions,  until  finally  it 
reached  Monrovia  in  gold  and  useless  goods  to  the  aggregate 
amount  of  $200,000,  and  this  residue  has  disappeared  without 
an  “internal  improvement.”  To  use  a slang  phrase,  “ We  know 
how  it  is  ourselves.”  From  Canada  to  California  every  town 
and  village  in  the  country  has  gone  through  the  same  expe- 
rience, but  poor  Liberia,  with  an  income  at  the  most  of  $100,- 

000  a year,  is  unable  to  pay  either  principal  or  interest.  She 
lies  at  the  mercy  of  her  bondholders.  England,  with  her  lion’s 
paw  upon  the  trade  of  the  world,  would,  and  perhaps  will 
eventually,  assume  the  debt  for  the  trifling  consideration  of 
possession.  It  is  in  fact  a mortgage  upon  the  integrity  of 
Liberia.  Already  England  occupies  1,500  miles  of  the  Coast; 
already  she  hems  in  Liberia,  the  most  coveted  of  all,  on  the 
north ; already  the  British  trader  *is  encroaching  upon  her 
boundaries  and  stealing  in  behind  her  settlements.  Slowly 
and  surely  the  process  of  absorption  will  go  on  to  its  consum- 
mation as  the  anaconda  swallows  the  kid.  England  herself  is 
almost  powerless  to  stay  it  unless  we  intervene. 

1 don’t  mean  by  intervention  that  cold-blooded  indifferentism 
which  measures  every  national  emotion  with  the  line  and 
plummet  of  international  law,  which  restrains  within  the 
bounds  of  obsolete  diplomacy  every  beat  of  the  nation’s  heart. 

1 mean  the  warm,  sympathetic  intervention  which  will  say  to 
all  the  world,  that,  happen  what  may,  the  United  States  of 
America  will  see  to  it  that  no  power  on  earth  shall  obliterate  from 
the  map  of  Africa  the  infant  Republic  of  Liberia. 

In  this  centennial  year,  the  proudest  anniversary  in  recorded 
history,  which  proclaims  in  trumpet  tones  the  triumphant  fact 
that  a government  by  the  people  and  for  the  people  is  not 
only  the  best  but  the  stablest  on  earth,  let  us  extend  to  our 
own  offspring  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  declare  by 
every  legitimate  means  we  will  help  her  forward  in  that  career 
which  has  led  us  to  our  present  proud  pre-eminence.  In  the 
anguage  of  another  who  visited  Liberia  at  the  same  time  I 
did,  and  came  away  as  deeply  impressed,  “We  are  bound  to 


19 


help  them  by  all  the  considerations  that  have  force  with  men 
and  nations.  By  interest  and  by  sympathy  we  are  bound. 
By  interest,  because  Liberia,  the  only  American  colony  on  the 
West  Coast  of  Africa,  once  strong  and  resting  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  American  flag,  would  open  to  us  the  inexhausti- 
ble riches  of  Africa,  and  in  so  doing  would  revive  the  lost 
glories  of  American  commerce,  which,  to  our  national  shame 
and  disgrace,  has  almost  faded  from  the  seas.  By  sympathy, 
because  of  the  close  parallel  between  their  history  and  our 
own.  Like  us,  they  went  forth  from  a land  where  they  could 
no  longer  remain  with  honor;  to  battle  for  the  dear  sake  of 
freedom,  with  poverty,  with  privation,  with  hostile  savages, 
and  with  all  the  thousand  difficulties  of  an  unknown  and  bar- 
barous land.  Like  us,  they  struggled,  if  not  with  oppres- 
sion, still  under  neglect,  and,  like  us,  they  conquered.  Like 
us,  they  have  declared  and  maintained  themselves  a free 
Kepublic,  and  if  in  less  than  thirty  years  of  their  national 
existence  they  have  not  accomplished  all  that  they  desired, 
the  failure  has  been  largely  owing  to  our  own  indifference 
to  the  children  whom  we  sent  out  from  among  us,  and  then 
left  to  take  care  of  themselves.  Their  love  for  us  is  strong. 
Like  most  strong  affections,  ill-treatment  only  seems  to  aug- 
ment its  force.  Their  confidence  in  us,  though  so  abused,  is 
still  unabated.  Can  we,  in  this  their  hour  of  need  and  dan- 
ger, coldly  pass  by  on  the  other  side  ? Surely  it  has  been 
want  of  knowledge,  not  want  of  interest,  that  has  so  long  held 
us  supine.  Let  us  make  the  parallel,  so  strong  in  the  past, 
hold  good  for  the  future.  Let  us  strengthen  the  hands  of  Li- 
beria, that  she  may  be  enabled  to  do  for  Africa  what  we  have 
already  done  for  America.” 

Fortunately,  we  can  intervene  in  the  cause  of  Liberia,  if  re- 
quested so  to  do  by  her  government.  Article  8,  of  the  treaty 
between  the  United  States  of  America  and  Liberia,  concluded 
at  London,  October  21,  1862,  says: 

“The  United  States  Government  engages  never  to  interfere, 
unless  solicited  by  the  Government  of  Liberia,  in  the  affairs 
between  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  and  the  Republic  of  Libe- 
ria in  the  jurisdiction  and  territories  of  the  Republic.  Should 
anj^  United  States  citizens  suffer  loss,  in  person  or  property, 


*20 


from  violence  by  the  aboriginal  inhabitants,  and  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Republic  of  Liberia  should  not  be  able  to  bring 
the  aggressor  to  justice,  the  United  States  Government  en- 
gages, a requisition  having  been  first  made  therefor  by  the 
Liberian  Government,  to  lend  such  aid  as  may  be  required. 
Citizens  of  the  United  States  residing  in  the  territories  of  the 
Republic  of  Liberia  are  desired  to  abstain  from  all  such  inter- 
course with  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  as  will  tend  to  the  vio- 
lation of  law  and  a disturbance  of  the  peace  of  the  country.” 

I violate  no  official  propriety  when  I inform  you  that  in  all 
probability  a ship  of  war  is  now  on  her  way  to  Liberia  for  the 
purpose  of  protecting  American  interests,  and  of  aiding  the 
authorities,  if  so  requested,  in  the  suppression  of  insurrection 
aimong  the  natives.  That  this  intervention  will  be  effectual 
not  only  in  suppressing  the  natives,  but  indirectly  in  suppress- 
ing the  zeal  of  the  white  traders,  I have  not  the  slightest  doubt. 
This  assistance  to  Liberia  is  of  a temporary  nature;  what  she 
needs  and  what  we  need  is  a permanent  naval  force  on  her 
Coast,  and  she  has  almost  a right  to  demand  it;  for  Liberia  is 
our  only  colony,  the  only  offshoot  of  the  parent  stem,  the  only 
American  outpost  on  the  confines  of  barbarism;  it  is  our  duty 
to  protect  her  for  the  sake  of  our  institutions  and  for  the  sake 
of  our  religion. 

I therefore  propose  that  the  Government  be  requested  to 
establish  a line  of  mail  steamers,  to  consist  of  the  smallest 
class  of  naval  vessels,  half-manned  and  half-armed,  to  run 
monthly  between  any  designated  port  in  the  United  States  and 
Liberia,  touching  on  that  Coast  at  Monrovia  and  Cape  Palmas, 
and  coaling  each  way  at  Porto  Grande,  Cape  de  Verde  Islands. 
These  vessels  to  retain  the  character  of  men-of-war,  and  to 
cany  no  passengers  except  officials  of  either  government. 

The  distance  from  Norfolk  to  Monrovia  is  about  4,000  miles ; 
the  quantity  of  coal  required  for  each  round  voyage  would  be 
about  320  tons,  aggregating  for  a monthly  service  about  4,000 
tons  per  annum.  These  ships  could  perform  this  duty  at  a 
cost  for  coal  of  about  $50,000. 

A law  of  Congress  appropriating  this  amount  and  author- 
izing the  President  to  employ  the  vessels  on  this  duty  would 
be  a great  point  gained  for  Liberia,  by  insuring  a regular  mail 


21 


communication,  and  by  having  constantly  on  the  Coast  one  or 
other  of  these  ships  of  war. 

It  is  no  new  thing  for  men-of-war  to  be  employed  in  this 
service.  England  commenced  her  foreign  postal  system  in 
this  way,  which,  subsequently  taken  up  by  private  companies, 
now  ramifies  over  the  globe  and  touches  every  port.  The 
same  result  would  follow  in  this  case.  The  merchantman 
would  follow  the  man-of-war,  and  thus  the  initial  step  would 
be  taken  in  securing  the  trade  of  Liberia  to  our  own  country. 
I see  no  other  way  at  present  of  inaugurating  a direct  trade 
with  Liberia;  for  our  commercial  pride  has  fallen  so  low,  and 
our  capital  has  become  so  timid,  that  it  dares  not  and  cares 
not  to  venture  upon  the  sea.  It  is  in  vain  that  we  appeal  to 
patriotism;  it  is  in  vain  that  we  utter  the  truism  that  no  na- 
tion can  be  truly  great  without  an  external  commerce.  Our 
merchants  cross  the  sea,  and  point  with  complacency  to  the 
foreign  flag  waving  over  their  heads,  and  bring  back  their 
goods  in  foreign  bottoms,  without  any  sense  of  the  shame  that 
ensues. 

It  would  also  be  utilizing  the  navy,  which,  in  time  of  peace, 
could  find  no  nobler  employment.  It  would,  indeed,  be  but  a 
continuation  of  the  aid  which  the  Navy  has  heretofore  given 
to  Liberia,  and  a new  title  to  its  claim  of  guardianship. 

I submit  this  proposition  to  you,  gentlemen,  for  your  con- 
sideration, and,  if  it  meets  with  your  approval,  I suggest  that 
you  endeavor  to  put  it  into  practicable  shape  during  the  present 
session  of  Congress. 

The  Government  of  the  United  States  can  give  to  Liberia 
no  material  aid.  We  cannot  pay  her  debts  nor  fight  her  bat- 
tles. We  can  throw  over  her  the  mantle  of  our  protection. 
We  can  say  that  we  will  not  see  her  absorbed  by  any  European 
Power,  nor  obliterated  by  any  savage  horde;  but,  after  all, 
Liberia  must  work  out  her  own  salvation. 

“Who  would  be  free — themselves  must  strike  the  blow.” 

So  I would  say  to  Liberians:  The  history  of  your  country  is 

full  of  instances  of  heroism  in  conflict  with  savages ; of  suffering 
from  scarcity  of  food;  of  endurance  of  the  effects  of  climate — 
full,  I say,  of  instances  of  heroism  and  self-denial  on  the  part 


22 


of  your  predecessors.  Learn  from  their  history  to  practice 
their  virtues  now. 

Thirty  years  ago  Commodore  Perry  cautioned  the  colonists 
against  a growing  timidity,  a tendency  to  rely  upon  others 
for  the  defense  of  their  lives  and  property.  He  advised  them 
to  build  blockhouses  as  our  forefathers  did  in  the  olden  time; 
to  become  accustomed  to  the  use  of  arms,  to  organize  at  every 
settlement,  and  learn  not  only  to  repel  attack  but  to  assume 
the  offensive,  thereby  instilling  into  the  surrounding  savages 
that  wholesome  fear  which  is  the  greatest  safeguard. 

Be  brave  also  in  the  face  of  nature  as  well  as  in  the  face  of 
the  native;  attack  your  forests,  clear  away  the  wilderness  before 
you.  Agriculture  is  the  handmaid  of  commerce.  You  cannot 
have  one  without  the  other.  The  tiller  of  the  soil  is  the  noble- 
man of  the  land.  From  the  bosom  of  mother  earth  comes  the 
chief  real  wealth  of  the  nation. 

Bear  the  burden  of  your  national  debt  cheerfully.  For  this 
purpose  submit  to  taxation;  remember  that  repudiation  of  the 
debt  would  be  followed  by  extinction,  and  that  your  failure  as 
a nation  would  throw  you  back  into  the  confused  heap  of  mis- 
takes which  the  world  would  willingly  attribute  to  the  imbe- 
cility of  your  race.  You  must  carry  this  load  upon  your 
shoulders.  Consider  what  a load  of  debt  this  parent  country 
of  yours  is  carrying  for  the  sake  of  your  race,  for  the  vindi- 
cation of  your  title  as  Liberians — free  men! 


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